Subject: New list member introduction
>>>Allow me to introduce myself as a new subscriber to Aroid-L.
I have a wide interest in plants (orchids, gesneriads, ferns,vireyas
etc etc) and find email discussion groups of this type a wonderful
innovation. I have recently developed an interest in aroids (due in
part to viewing a collection at the Cairns Botanical garden,
Queensland). I live at 38 degrees South, at an elevation of 300
metres (1000 feet), but a surprising number of aroids will grow
outside for us (Colocasia, Alocasia, Monstera etc).
In New Zealand various aroids are, from time to time, available, but
not from specialist nurseries. The naming is often doubtful or
non-existant. The selection is rather limited. I see there are a
few other NZ members of Aroid-L.
Three rather ignorant questions:
>>I am thinking of joining the IAS, and have looked at their web pages,
but cannot determine whether they have a seed fund (seeds are one of
the few practical means of importing plants here).<<
Nick-- Welcome to Aroid-L !! I can only speak for myself, but seed and small
bulbils (tiny tubers) are often available, and some members are VERY kind in
getting these to fellow "Aroidophiles". I would encourage you to join the
Aroid society, as their Yearly Journal is worth the wait. I have all the
issues dating back to 1978.
What is the coldest that it gets where you live? (in degs. F, please)
I grow swamp Aroids, and quite often have seed to spare, but they won`t stand
temps below 60 degs F. I have to bring mine for cold snaps during our winter
here in S. Florida! I`ve sent seed to Sydney Botanical garden, and they are
growing there . Can you only receive seed, and not small tubers? Let me
know.
>>How do I tell the difference between Alocasia and Colocasia?<<<
Quoting from Dr A. Hay`s wonderful book "Aroids of Papua New Guinea"
(ISBN: 9980-85-305-0, CRI Publication No. 10, Christensen Research
Institute, P.O. Box 305, Madang, Papua New Guinea)--"Blade peltate, held
vertically with the anterior lobe down, plant strongly stoleniferous and
tending to form colonies, appendix (top of spadix) very short"---Colocasia.
"Blade not peltate, or if so, then held horizontally to vertically, if
stoloniferous then with the stolons short and terminating in a cormel, rarely
gregarious; appendix large"---Alocasia.
>>What is 'Golden Taro' (green-gold leaves and stems) likely to be?<<
Probably an Alocasia; A. macrorrhiza "New Guinea gold " would be a high
probabilty.
Hoping someone will relieve my ignorance.
Nick Miller
Rotorua, New Zealand<<<
I look forward to "hearing" from you frequently on Aroid-L.
Sincerely,
Julius Boos
ju-bo@msn.com
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